Sgt. Pearlie T. Panangui, 1978 - 2010

(Philippines)

Sergeant Pearlie Taub Panangui, a national of the Philippines, was deployed to the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) since August 2009 as a member of the 10th Philippine Peacekeeping Contingent as a Data Processing Technician 3rd Class and assigned as a clerk in the Office of the Force Commander.

Originally from Zamboanga del Sur, Pearlie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from Zamboanga AE College in 1999.

Prior to her deployment to Haiti, Pearlie served as a secretary, encoder and computer operator at Navy Headquarters in Manila.

She enlisted in the Philippine Navy in 2001, and after completion of her training was assigned to numerous positions where she received the Mindanao-Sulu Campaign Medal and Ribbon and the Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal. Pearlie took military courses on various subjects that included anti-terrorism, basic seaman and marine training, as well as data processing specialization and shipboard training.

According to a colleague, Pearlie was often at her desk before 6 a.m. preparing schedules for meetings and conferences for the MINUSTAH Force Commander. She was known for her diligence and dedication.

Chief of the Philippine Navy Vice-Admiral Ferdinand Golez said, “She had faithfully served the Navy for eight years and had proven herself as an asset to the organization before she volunteered for the UN mission. She did the Navy and the Armed Forces of the Philippines proud.”

Friends and colleagues described Pearlie as “jolly but disciplined” and as “a friendly person with a gentle voice and generous smile.”

Her mother Manuela said that Pearlie chose the assignment in Haiti in order to save for the renovation of their house, explaining, “It was really her dream to complete the house and for us to have our own home.”

Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo were among those who met the remains of Pearlie and three other Filipinos who died working for MINUSTAH, at the airport in Manila on 2 February.

Pearlie and her colleagues were posthumously awarded the Military Merit Medal and the UN Service Medal by their country in honour of their “unselfish services and commitment to peace and security both to our nation and the world at large.”